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The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) has rejected a proposal to end its DEI programs.
On Sunday (March 10), the AAD, a non-profit organization made up of dermatologists across the U.S. and Canada, voted to reject a resolution called "Sunsetting all diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs” that claimed DEI would negatively impact dermatology, per NBC News.
The resolution was co-authored by dozens of AAD members who sought to end DEI initiatives and programs within the organization. An advisory board voted on the resolution after hearing testimony from several dermatologists who opposed the anti-DEI move.
“Department chairs stood up and talked about how their programs were stronger because of DEI. They felt diversity made their programs better,” dermatologist Wendy Roberts said. “The turnout for supporting DEI was massive and I was so proud of dermatology.”
With Sunday's vote, the advisory board also moved to expand AAD's mission to prioritize diversity and inclusion.
“We celebrate diversity in all forms including, but not limited to, religious, ethnic, cultural, gender, and racial identities and aim to improve disparities in health care,” a spokesperson for academy president Terrence Cronin Jr. said in a statement. “We are ardent opponents of any form of antisemitism, Islamophobia, anti-Asian hate, and racism of any kind.”
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